Discordant Bigotry

The Second Vatican Council decreed (giving voice to what is usually described by Mr Brian Coyne of Acatholic as "the ideals discerned by the majority of the world's bishops at the Second Vatican Council") that, with regard to music, Bishops' Conferences should set up Liturgical Commissions assisted by "experts" in sacred music. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 44).

The National Liturgical Music Board, against which Mr Coyne rants, is the group of experts assisting the Australian Bishops, in accordance with "the ideals discerned by the majority of the world's bishops at the Second Vatican Council."

Mr Coyne seems troubled by the fact that the Australian bishops support the idea that music at Mass should be judged according to the criteria "discerned by the majority of the world's bishops at the Second Vatican Council", i.e. sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action, whether it adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. But the Church approves of all forms of true art having the needed qualities, and admits them into divine worship. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 112), in contrast to the criteria discerned by Brian Coyne and Milly McKenna, whatever they may be.

OK, so we were already aware that Brian Coyne neither knows nor understands what Vatican II "discerned". He has made up his own version of Vatican II based on his own dreams.

What is most objectionable, however, in Coyne's recent diatribe (and it is a theme that recurs repulsively often in comments made by others on the Acatholic website's "Forum") is his dislike of "converts" to the Catholic faith. Coyne seems to think that, for instance, David Schutz and Fr. Peter Williams are not entitled to make any contribution to the life of the Catholic Church because they don't share Brian Coyne's experience of having been Catholic before and during and after Vatican II. This anti-convert bigotry is vile, as well as stupid.

Maybe it should be no surprise that the pre-conversion faith-life of, Mr Schutz or Fr Williams is accounted as irrelevent by Coyne, because Coyne is obviously ignorant of what the majority of the world's bishops discerend at the Second Vatican Council, namely:

The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (14*) For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God.They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood. In all of Christ's disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end. Mother Church never ceases to pray, hope and work that this may come about. She exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth. (Lumen Gentium 15)

Ignorance of the Council. Bigotry. Suspicion. Conspiracy theories. Inconsistency. Narrow-mindedness. Shallowness of thought. Jealousy.

Members of the Australian Pastoral Musician's Network must be recoiling in horror at the rantings of their self-appointed champion.